Business

Although born and bred in upstate New York, I have lived in Northern Virginia for 31 years. This election cycle, the Commonwealth is a battleground in the Presidential race, and by virtue of anticipated coattails, negative or positive, in the Senatorial one as well. For what seems like an eternity, residents have endured increasingly nasty TV ads, and it isn't even post convention, post Labor Day! Candidates have been crisscrossing the state in attack dog mode, spewing gall and gaffes, attempting to drum up support. I want to buy earplugs.

As a Buyer or Seller, it really doesn’t matter whether YOU are into technology or not. We work with all kinds of folks and we adapt to whatever their comfort level & needs are when it comes to communication, home searching & more. And while technology can make buying or selling a home easier on you, it’s really not an absolute necessity that YOU be tech savvy.

So, whether you’re like my husband (who has a phone with no camera, no internet access and a flip top – he calls it a “dumb phone” instead of a “smart phone”) or you’re the first person in your office to get the latest gadget or download the newest app – you can be successful in buying or selling a home, doing it with the least inconvenience possible, and maximizing your exposure (if you’re selling) or your opportunity (if you’re buying.)

But only IF YOU HAVE A REALTOR WHO IS TECH SAVVY.

To understand why this might matter to you as a Buyer or a Seller, ask yourself these questions:

The Small Business Administration estimates that approximately 550,000 new businesses open, each year, and that another 660,000 close. What’s more, only about a third of all businesses that open are expected to last to the 10-year mark. The people at CURLS, which just celebrated its 10-year mark, have learned some of the secrets to success, along the way, and what it takes to last for the long haul.

“I started out with a blueprint for what it would take to succeed in business, a full marketing and business plan,” explains Mahisha Dellinger, founder and chief executive officer of CURLS. “I also knew that I had a product that people needed."

Moroccan native and creator of EnvyDerm Cosmetics company, Nadia Smith, has now added two new products to her beauty repertoire: the spearmint Lip Volumizing and Conditioning Plumper and coconut Intensive Lip Renewal Therapy!

Every 15 seconds in America there is a burglary that takes place. Every 43 seconds a vehicle is stolen somewhere in the country. On top of that there are countless other crimes committed throughout communities and on college campuses. We are all in search of a safer country, and CrimePush has just unveiled what could be the answer to the country’s crime problem.

“Everyone wants a way to help reduce and easily report crime,” explains Shayan Pahlevani, founder and chief executive officer of CrimePush. “This is a tool that is going to do just that. It’s easy to use and highly effective.”

CrimePush is a new crime-reporting and personal security application, which has unveiled a number of new features designed to keep students and citizens safe. It is now available on iTunes and Google Play. Users can quickly download the free app to explore the utility and ingenuity of the service.

Ashby Ponds resident Dick Rabkin worked as a patent attorney who helped bring the Rubik’s Cube to America

(ASHBURN, VIRGINIA) – Dick Rabkin spent over 15 years working as a patent and trademark attorney for Ideal Toy Company, which manufactured and distributed toys, dolls, and games beginning with the Teddy Bear in the early 1900s. “I had toys and games all over my office,” said Rabkin. The Ideal Company’s largest competitors were Hasbro and Mattel before the company was dissolved in 1985 a few years after being purchased by CBS. Some notable toys produced by the Ideal Toy Company include Mr. Machine, Chrissy, Betsy Wetsy, the Magic 8-Ball, and the Rubik’s Cube.

Buffett and David Rubenstein, The Economic Club of Washington, DC's President, are among business leaders at 25th anniversary celebration on June 5th where 10 community organizations, including the Alexandria Seaport Foundation, received a total of $500,000 in grants

The Alexandria Seaport Foundation (ASF), which offers disadvantaged youth and young adults a paid, work-based apprentice program in boat building that prepares participants for careers in the building trades, received a $50,000 grant from The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. at its 25th anniversary on June 5th at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park.